New Rochelle's Ortega Makes Prep School Hoops History

The Harvey School’s girls varsity basketball team celebrated Valentine’s Day 2022, Monday, Feb. 14, in grand style. Not only did the girls earn a homecourt victory over Oakwood Friends School on Seniors Day but they enjoyed a midcourt celebration right after junior point guard Kira Ortega of New Rochelle sank a free throw to become only the sixth member of Harvey basketball’s 1,000-career point club. The history-making moment came just over six minutes into the first quarter of the girls’ final home game of the season. With Harvey up 2-0 at the six-minute mark, Ortega was fouled, went to the line, and swished her way into the Harvey record books. 

Harvey coach Mike Duignan was pleased that the team got a win on the history-making day. “It was a day to recognize the basketball talent and heart of our junior captain Kira Ortega whose 1000-point milestone is a testament to her great skill and tenacity,” coach Duignan said.

Ortega finished with a game-high 27 points, 15 of them on five 3-pointers. She scored 22 of her 27 in the first half to help Harvey win 43-26 and get only its third win in nine games. 

A NEPSAC All-Star and HVAL All-League player in her first two years, Ortega joins the 1,000-career point club whose membership includes Steve Masiello, Class of 1996, now in his 11th year as the head coach of the Manhattan College men’s basketball team.

Harvey is an independent, coed college-preparatory school for students in grades six through 12.